Trailer structure

ABSTRACT

An improved tilt-bed trailer constructed of light weight and durable materials is disclosed. A trailer frame with an associated rotatably interconnected tongue is affixed with a tongue release and retention mechanism that slidably engages a portion of the tongue and a portion of the frame to hold them in a fixed position when engaged and to allow the frame to pivot with respect to the tongue when disengaged. The mechanism utilizes gripping members to cooperate with ridges on the tongue. An adjustable axle mount has a pair of parallel support member having a predetermined configured channel in the lower surface of each, that slidably engage mating axle mount members therein. A locking mechanism allows positioning of the axle mount members selectably along the length of the channels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to trailer structures; and, moreparticularly, to tiltable trailers having an improved adjustable axlemounting structure.

2. State of the Prior Art

Various structures for trailers that are to be towed behind vehicles areknown. One class of trailer structures that have special requirements isthe class of trailers that are used to transport various recreationalvehicles such as snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, lawn care equipment,tractors, or the like. Many such vehicles are ground-driven and for easeof loading, it has been found beneficial to provide a trailer bed thattilts. Generally, these trailers are supported on two wheels, arepreferably constructed of strong but light weight material, and have awood bed. Various forms of ramps and tilt beds are known. Trailer bedsare alternatively referred to as trailer decks.

Various forms of tilt bed trailers have been disclosed. Such tilt bedtrailers have utilized various complex release mechanisms to release thebed from the tongue to allow the bed to rotate and tilt for loading andunloading of vehicles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,698 issued to Stuart R.Boelter illustrates a mechanism for adjusting the relative angularposition of structures adapted to support a snowmobile. Yet another tiltbed trailer for snowmobiles is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,690issued to James J. Van and Slambrouck, and illustrates the use of arelease lever and detent to free the bed of the trailer to tilt relativeto the tongue. U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,612 issued to me described a tilt bedtrailer that utilizes a support channel in cooperation with a noveltongue structure to allow the bed supporting frame to tilt. Other typesof tilt bed trailers are known in the prior art.

The various structures utilized to retain the tilt bed affixed to atrailer tongue have been found to be relatively complex to manufactureand assemble, in many cases unreliable, and often lacking in ease of usein releasing the bed for tilting.

It has been known in the prior art to construct frame members from bentand formed structural members. The use of steel in fabricating thetrailer frames has been shown to be unduly heavy and subject to rustingand corrosion and additional maintenance. More recently it has beenknown to utilize aluminum in the construction of frame members, and ithas been known to utilize extruded aluminum to create predeterminedshapes of members that can then be cut to desired length and formed intoa trailer frame.

While versatility has been found in the use of extruded aluminummembers, there has remained the problem requiring separate types ofmembers for various sizes and capacities of trailers. The constructionof prior art trailers has often required the use of precision drillingto allow joining members together or has required welding for structuralrigidity. These construction processes do not lend themselves toversatility in use of various members in the positioning and adjustmentof location. For example, the structures to mount the axle to the framehas characteristically been fixed for each trailer type and thecapacity, and has required different structures to accommodate themounting. Further, once constructed, such fixed axle mounts do notreadily accommodate any adjustments or modifications for differing usesof the trailer.

OBJECTS

It is a primary objective of the invention to provide an improvedtrailer structure.

Yet another object is to provide an improved tilt bed trailer frame.

A further object is to provide an improved retaining and releasestructure for releasably attaching the bed of a trailer to the tongue toallow tilting of the trailer bed when released.

Still another object is to provide an improved adjustable axle mountingstructure.

Yet a further objective is to provide an adjustable axle mountingstructuring utilizing slidable mating members for allowing longitudinaladjustment of the position of the axle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a light weight andcorrosion resistant trailer frame that utilizes slidable mating partsfor retention, release, and adjustment.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improvedtrailer frame constructed of members that are fabricated from extrudedaluminum that has the required strength while being light weight andsubstantially maintenance free.

These and other more detailed of the specific objectives will becomeapparent from consideration of the following description of theinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a light weight aluminum trailer framestructure with an improved tongue retention and release mechanism tohold an associated trailer bed supporting frame structure firmly incontact with a trailer tongue when engaged, and to allow the bed supportstructure to rotate and tilt when released. The tongue retention andrelease mechanism comprises a clamping structure having downwardlyextending and parallelly disposed gripping members for engagingcooperating ridges on the tongue, together with a pressure membermounted there between. The entire mechanism encloses a portion of atongue channel that is fixedly attached to the trailer bed supportstructure. A hand operable clamp bolt passes through the pressure memberand engages a threaded nut and is operable to apply upward pressure onthe entire mechanism when pressure is applied to the top of the tonguechannel, thereby holding the mechanism firmly in place and preventingthe trailer bed from tilting. When released, the mechanism can beslidably removed along the tongue away from engaging the tongue channel,thereby permitting the trailer bed to tilt.

An adjustable axle mechanism comprises a pair of parallelly disposedsupport members mounted to the trailer bed frame, each of said supportmembers having a configured channel running along its length. A pair ofaxle support members is provided with each one of said pair of axlesupport members having a cross section shape that matches thepredetermined channel configuration of the support members and aredisposed in an associated one of the channels. The axle support membersare slidably engaged with the associated one of said support members andinclude holding means for holding the axle support members in affixedrelationship to its associated support member anywhere along thelongitudinal retaining channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer frame and associated tongue;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tongue retention and release mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tongue retention and releasemechanism taken at line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A through FIG. 4E collectively are an exploded cross-sectionalview of the tongue wherein FIG. A illustrates a threaded pressuredevice, FIG. 4B illustrates a gripping member, FIG. 4C is a nut forcooperation with the pressure device of FIG. 4.A, FIG. 4D is a channelmember to be slidably engaged with the gripping device of FIG. 4B, andFIG. 4E is the tongue; retention and release mechanism, the tongueretention channel, and the tongue;

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a slidable axle support member;

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a portion of the longitudinalsupport member with the predetermined longitudinal channel for engagingthe slidable axle support member;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the slidable axle support member slidablyengaged within the configured longitudinal channel of the supportmember; and

FIG. 8 is a rear view of a wheel and axle assembly mounted to anadjustable axle support mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer frame and associated tonguehaving a pair of channels disposed at opposite sides and runninglongitudinally. The trailer frame 10 is made up of front beam 12, sidepanels 14 and 16, and rear channel member 18, each of which has a decksupport portion. A pair of cross beams 20 and 22 are spacedfront-to-back by spacers 24, 26 and 28. A pair of frame support members30 and 32 are positioned parallel to one another and are arrangedlongitudinally to side support panels 14 and 16. These support members30 and 32 are arranged for providing support to the entire frame 10 onan axle, represented by dashed line 34, and on a pair associated wheelsshown as dashed lines 36 and 38. As will be described in more detailbelow, support members 30 and 32 cooperate with slidable mountingstructures (not shown in FIG. 1) to allow slidable adjustment of theaxle 34 either forwardly or rearwardly of the frame, as illustrated byarrow 39. This configuration of the trailer frame 10 is illustrativeonly, and various other configurations of members can be utilized asnecessary to serve various uses, size considerations, and strengthrequirements.

A generally channel shaped member 40 is arranged to cooperate with aportion of tongue 42 and is located and affixed to the undersides offront beam 12 and cross beam 22, and is utilized for providing avertical span support, as well as a lateral support for tongue 42.

The front end 44 of tongue 42 is adapted to have a hitch 46 attached asby bolts (not shown) extended through holes aligned on dashed lines 48.Tongue 42 has longitudinal opposed channels 50 and 51 extending along atleast a portion of its length.

For fixed tongue trailer frames, channel 40 would be firmly affixed totongue 42, as by bolts, welding, or other suitable interconnection. Forthose trailer frames that are characterized as tilt bed, end 52 oftongue 42 is pivotally mounted (not shown) to the tongue mount 40 nearend 52. A releasable tongue catch (not shown in FIG. 1) is mountedforward of front beam 12 and operates to releasably couple tongue 42within channel 40. When the tongue catch is released, trailer frame 10is allowed to rotate about axle 34 in a clockwise direction until thebottom of rear channel 18 touches the surface, thereby allowing asnowmobile or other vehicle to drive onto or off of the trailer. Onceweight is placed forward on the trailer, the frame rotates back untilchannel 40 re-engages tongue 42 and the tongue clamp is utilized to holethe tongue in place. The tongue clamp will be described below. Whilechannel 40 is shown to have a planar top until a pair of downwardlyextending side members, it should be understood that various otherconfigurations could be utilized with tongues of differingcross-sections, or to achieve some other structural goal.

Rear channel 18 has a pair of tail lights 54 and 56 mounted within thechannel, so that the lights are protected from breakage or damage duringloading. Electric power is provided from the tow vehicle through plug 58and cable 60. Cable 60 extends through hole 62 in the top of tongue 42and runs inside tongue 42 toward end 52. The cable 60 then is run insidebeams 22 and 14 to the rear where electrical connection is made tolights 54 and 56. Running cable 60 inside the tongue and the beamsprotects it from damage and breakage. An alternative connection forcable 60 can be provided. The cable can be extended out through end 52and attached externally to the underside of spacers 26 and 28, andextended to the back of end channel 18. Either interconnection willfunction. Various other electrical wiring configurations can beutilized.

A desired number of stake holders such as stake holder 64, can bemounted at desired points along side panels 14 and 16.

The tongue 42, end channel member 18, tongue channel 40, side panels 16,stake holder 64, and the beams are all fabricated from aluminum. Thebeams and spacers are all adapted to support a trailer deck (not shown)that characteristically will be constructed of plywood or some othersuitable material. The aluminum members are fabricated by heating andformed by extruding to the desired shapes, and are joined together bywelding or by corrosion resistant fastener devices as needed. Theextrusion process provides members that are strong and are not stressedby bending and forming processes. The extruded structures are cut tolength for the size trailer framer desired, thereby providing anefficient and cost-effective manufacturing process.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tongue retention and release mechanism.This illustrates tongue clamping and release mechanism 70 positioned inan operative relationship with channel member 40 and tongue member 42.Downwardly extending gripping member 72 has a lower gripping portion 74in cooperative relationship with a ridge 76 on the tongue member. At itsupper extremity 78 there is a shoulder that cooperates with the upperpressure member 80. A hand operated tension bolt 82 cooperates with athreaded nut 84 to operate in a manner to apply pressure to the uppersurface of channel 40 when the handle 86 is operated. When pressure bolt82 is released, the entire mechanism 70 can be moved in the direction ofarrow 88 to a position where the end 90 of channel member 40 is cleared.At that juncture, tongue 42 is free from restraint to channel member 40and the associated trailer bed (not shown) is then free to tilt.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tongue retention and releasemechanism taken at line 3--3 in FIG. 2. The tongue 42 has longitudinalchannels 51 and 52. Downwardly extending gripping members 72 and 73 areessentially parallelly disposed and have gripping members 74 and 75associated therewith respectively. The gripping members 74 and 75cooperate with ridges 76 and 77 on tongue structure 42. When bolt 82 isturned into nut 84 and impinges the top of channel member 40, nut 42will be drawn into relationship with pressure member 80 and will providean upward pressure to gripping members 74 and 75 while providing adownward pressure on the channel member 40. This pressure relationshipwill hold the tongue retention and release mechanism firmly in place andprevent tongue 42 from being able to move with respect to channel member40.

FIG. 4A through FIG. 4E are collectively an exploded cross-sectionalview of the tongue retention and release mechanism, the tongue retentionchannel, and the tongue. This exploded set of views illustrates thecross-sectional configurations of the components and members describedwith reference to FIG. 3. With the exception of the tension bolt 82 andits associated nut 84, the structural elements are fabricated fromextruded aluminum to provide a light weight, maintenance free, andstrong structures that can be readily fabricated. For additionalstrength, tongue 42 has a predetermined configuration of internalvertical support 90 and horizontal structural support 92.

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a slidable axle support member.The axle support member 100 is comprised of an extruded structure thatis integrally formed having a central portion 102 with bolt holes 104and 104' therein. The bolt holes are utilized to receive the bolts (notshown) that affix the axle 34 (see FIG. 8). A pair of longitudinalengaging members 106 and 108 are formed at the sides of the centerportion 102, and are formed with longitudinal channels 110 and 112,respectively. Members 106 and 108 also form longitudinal channels 114and 116 respectively. Channels 110, 112, 114, and 116 are configured tomate with protrusions in the associated ones of the support beams thatwill be described below.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a portion of the longitudinalsupport member with the predetermined longitudinal channel for engagingthe slidable axle support member. In FIG. 1 the support members areshown as members 30 and 32. A portion of one of the support members 120includes an upper surface 122 and side surfaces 124 and 126. At thelower extremity a longitudinal channel illustrated by arrow 128 extendslongitudinally along the base of support member 120. The channel 128 isconfigured to include a number of longitudinal protrusions 130, 132,134, and 136 to mate with and provide slidable contact with thelongitudinal channels 110, 112, 114, 116, respectively, in theassociated axle mount structure 100. Channel 128 is enclosed at the topthereof by a longitudinal portion 138.

In a preferred embodiment the width of support member 120 is nominally 2inches, the height is nominally 3.5 inches, and the lower exposed widthof channel 128 is approximately 0.783 inch. As stated, the length ofsupport member 120 can be selected as desired for the type of trailerbeing utilized.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the slidable axle support member slidablyengaged within the configured longitudinal channel of the supportmember. This illustrates the axle support member 100 in slidable contactwithin longitudinal channel 128 of support member 120. Upper surface 138is slightly concave. This concave structure in conjunction with thedesign of the configured channel is operable as part of the lockingmechanism to lock the axle support member in place when its longitudinalplacement selection is made. When the axle 34 and the axle brackets (notshown in FIG. 7) are affixed to the under surface of axle support member100 by passing bolts 142 upward through apertures 104 and 104'. Thebolts are selected of sufficient length such that when inserted toimpinge on the lower surface 140 and with the exertion of upwardpressure the member is caused to slightly deflect. This deflectionproduces a torque force along the members forming channel 128, andcauses the protrusions 130 and 132 to be urged inwardly respectively,and protrusions 134 and 136 to be urged inwardly and upwardlyrespectively. This clamping action in conjunction with the pressure ofbolt 142 and the second bolt (not shown) causes the axle support member110 to be firmly locked into place.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of a wheel and axle assembly mounted to anadjustable axle support mechanism. Here it can seen that axle 34 is notcentered on tires 36 and 38, but rather is affixed at its ends tomounting elements 150 and 152, respectively, to provide a high clearancefor axle 34. Axle mounting brackets 154 and 156 are bolted to axlemounting devices 100-1 and 100-2 respectively.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that the extruded bedsupport members can be adapted to various lengths for differing sizetrailers or differing configurations of deck support structures. Therebygreatly simplifying the manufacturing processes and simplifying thesupply of materials for spare parts.

Having described the preferred embodiment of the invention inconjunction with the drawings, it can be seen at the various statedpurposes and objectives have been achieved, and that there ismodifications and extensions will be become apparent to those skilled inthe art within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, whatis attended to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in theappended claims.

I claim:
 1. An improved tilt-bed trailer comprising:a bed supportstructure; an elongated tongue member having a first end rotatablyconnected to said bed support structure, and having a predeterminedlength; a channel member fixedly mounted to said bed support structure,and arranged to engage a first predetermined portion of said elongatedtongue member, along said length; a tongue retention and releasemechanism arranged to slidably engage along said length a second portionof said elongated tongue member and a predetermined portion of saidchannel member and including a tension mechanism for selectively lockingand releasing said tongue retention and release mechanism; a pair of bedsupport members mounted to said bed support structure, each of said bedsupport members having a predetermined length, an upper support surface,and a lower surface, and having a longitudinal channel of a firstpredetermined cross-section extending along said length at said lowersurface; a pair of axle support members each having a secondpredetermined cross-section complementary to said first predeterminedcross-section of said longitudinal channel in each of said pair of bedsupport members, and slidably engaged within an associated one of saidlongitudinal channels, and including a locking mechanism in conjunctionwith each of said pair of axle support members for locking each saidaxle support member in a predetermined selectable position relative tothe associated one of said pair of bed support members.
 2. An improvedtilt-bed trailer as in claim 1 wherein said tongue retention and releasemechanism includes:a pair of spaced-apart gripper members; a pressuremember coupled to said pair of spaced-apart gripper members; and aselectively actuatable structure mounted in said pressure member forselectively applying and releasing pressure.
 3. An improved tilt-bedtrailer as in claim 2, wherein said selectively actuatable structureincludes:a threaded bolt having a first end and a second end incooperative relationship to said channel member; and a handle coupled tosaid first end of said threaded bolt; whereby said tongue releasemechanism holds said channel member firmly to said elongated tonguemember when said threaded bolt is in a first position and allows saidelongated tongue member to move with relationship to said channel memberwhen said threaded bolt is in a second position.
 4. For use with atrailer having an elongated tongue member and a trailer frame affixedthereto, an axle mounting structure comprising:an elongated supportmember having at least one surface for mounting to the trailer frame anda lower surface having a longitudinal channel of a first predeterminedcross-section extending along the length of said lower surface, saidlongitudinal channel having an opening, and said first predeterminedcross-section of said longitudinal channel includes a plurality atspaced-apart longitudinal protrusions of each side of said opening ofsaid channel, and an upper longitudinal channel member intermediateselected ones of said plurality of spaced-apart longitudinalprotrusions; an axle support member having a second predeterminedcross-section cooperating with at least a part of said firstpredetermined cross-section of said longitudinal channel and slidablyengaged within said longitudinal channel; and a locking mechanism incooperation with said axle support member and said elongated supportmember for locking them in a selectable predetermined relationship. 5.An axle mounting structure as in claim 4, wherein said upperlongitudinal channel member has a concave portion.
 6. An axle mountingstructure as in claim 4, wherein said axle support member comprises:anintegral body having a central body portion; first and secondlongitudinal members integrally formed with said central body portion,and each having a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal channelsarranged in slidable contact with said plurality of spaced-apartlongitudinal protrusions.
 7. An axle mounting structure as in claim 6,wherein said central body portion has at least one bolt receivingaperture formed therein.
 8. An axle mounting structure as in claim 7,wherein said locking mechanism comprises:at least one bolt incooperation with said bolt receiving aperture and with a portion of saidupper longitudinal channel member for causing said plurality of spacedapart longitudinal channels to be forced into tight relationship withassociated ones said plurality of spaced apart longitudinal protrusions.9. An improved trailed comprising:a bed support structure; a tonguemember coupled to said bed support structure; a pair of bed supportmembers mounted to said bed support structure, each of said bed supportmembers having a predetermined length, an upper support surface, and alower surface, and having a longitudinal channel having opening and afirst predetermined cross-section extending along said length at saidlower surface, wherein said first predetermined cross-section of saidlongitudinal channel of each of said pair of bed support membersincludes at least two spaced-apart longitudinal protrusions at each sideof said opening of said channel, and an upper longitudinal channelmember intermediate selected ones of said at least two spaced-apartlongitudinal protrusions at each side of said opening; a pair of axlesupport members, each of said pair of axle support members having asecond predetermined cross-section shape complementary to said firstpredetermined cross-section of said longitudinal channel of anassociated one of said pair of bed support members, and slidably engagedwithin an associated one of said longitudinal channels, and including alocking mechanism in conjunction with each of said pair of axle supportmembers for locking each said axle support member in a predeterminedselectable position relative to the associated one of said pair of bedsupport members.
 10. An improved trailer as in claim 9, wherein saidupper longitudinal channel member has an upper concave surface and alower surface whereby pressure applied to said lower surface causesdeflection of said longitudinal channel member for assisting in fixingthe position of said pair of axle support member along the length ofsaid pair of bed support members.
 11. An improved trailer as in claim 9,wherein each said pair of axle support members comprises:an integralbody having a central body portion; first and second longitudinalmembers integrally formed along the length of said central body portion,each of first and second longitudinal members having at least twospaced-apart longitudinal channels arranged in mating slidable contactwith said at least two spaced-apart longitudinal protrusions.
 12. Animproved trailer as in claim 11, wherein said central body portion hasat least one bolt receiving aperture formed therein.
 13. An improvedtrailer as in claim 12, wherein said locking mechanism for each of saidpair of axle support members comprises:at least one bolt in cooperationwith said bolt receiving aperture and with said lower surface of saidupper longitudinal channel member for causing said at least twospaced-apart longitudinal channels to be forced into tight relationshipwith associated ones said at least two-spaced apart longitudinalprotrusions.
 14. An improved trailer as in claim 9, wherein said pair ofbed support members and said pair of axle support members are integrallyformed from light weight metal.
 15. An improved tilt-bed trailercomprising:a bed support structure; an elongated tongue member having afirst end rotatably connected to said bed support structure; a channelmember fixedly mounted to said bed support structure, and arranged toengage a first predetermined portion of said elongated tongue member; atongue retention and release mechanism arranged to slidably engage asecond portion of said elongated tongue member and a predeterminedportion of said channel member and including a tension mechanism forselectively locking and releasing said tongue retention and releasemechanism, wherein said tongue retention and release mechanism includesa pair of spaced-apart gripper members, a pressure member coupled tosaid pair of spaced-apart gripper members, and a selectively actuatablestructure mounted in said pressure member for selectively applying andreleasing pressure, and wherein said selectively actuatable structureincludes a threaded bolt having a first end and a second end, incooperative relationship to said channel member, and a handle coupled tosaid first end of said threaded bolt whereby said tongue releasemechanism holds said channel member firmly to said elongated tonguemember when said threaded bolt is in a first position and allows saidelongated tongue member to move with relationship to said channel memberwhen said threaded bolt is in a second position;a pair of bed supportmembers mounted to said bed support structure, each of said bed supportmembers having a predetermined length, an upper support surface, and alower surface, and having a longitudinal channel of a firstpredetermined cross-section extending along said length at said lowersurface; a pair of axle support members each having a secondpredetermined cross-section complementary to said first predeterminedcross-section of said longitudinal channel in each of said pair of bedsupport members, and slidably engaged within an associated one of saidlongitudinal channels, and including a locking mechanism in conjunctionwith each of said pair of axle support members for locking each saidaxle support member in a predetermined selectable position relative tothe associated one of said pair of bed support members.